Page 169 - Week 02 - Thursday, 25 May 1989
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MR SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
MR COLLAERY: The fact is that on planning and developmental issues the Liberal Party has substantial connections, through its own consultative party mechanisms and its own relationship to industry. The Rally has become a legitimate conduit of opinion from the community on these community-related issues. The Liberal Party and the Rally come together most comfortably on this issue today. Let that be a warning to the Labor Party, which had the opportunity and gave it away in the spirit of power that seems to be one of the most tempting, overriding temptations in the ALP structure.
I think I did an injustice to my colleague Mr Duby. I withdraw any suggestion that the NSG Party did not and may not support this move. One hopes that members of the No Self Government group, from the community base which they have, reflecting the well-stated views against self-government, will realise that this motion of my colleague Mr Kaine presents an opportunity to see the community in its consultative mode. It also gives an opportunity to streamline the functions in the ACT Administration, where there is still a great deal of duplication in such matters. This committee can also include in its agenda questions relating to duplication in leasehold, planning and heritage committee areas in the ACT Administration. The committee will be able to review, inquire and report on matters incidental to that concern. Mr Speaker, I commend the Liberal Party's motion to this Assembly. It follows very clearly the Rally's policies in the area, and it is a matter that we should have established on a bipartisan basis the other day. It is regrettable. We trust that the message here today is taken away to the ALP party rooms, and that issues relating to the good functioning of this Assembly and of government are resolved in future with regard being paid to the values and the input that the Rally and the Liberal Party can make to this Assembly.
MR BERRY (Minister for Community Services and Health) (12.07): The one thing that Mr Collaery can trust in is the fact that there will be open government as far as the ALP is concerned.
A member: We are pleased to hear it.
MR BERRY: I am glad you are pleased to hear that. We have to ensure that political inexperience does not get in the way of the proper consideration of matters which are going to affect the people of the ACT. I know that the machine is a new one, but nevertheless it has to come to grips with the requirements of what is a relatively small government in anybody's estimation.
The addition of extra committees will put a strain not only on Government members but on the resources that the Rally and its machine can apply to the decisions of government. I do not think those things were properly considered by
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